Write On! 16 is out today: Themed Contradictions, this issue features an exclusive interview with the influential author, playwright and screenwriter, John O’Farrell. He speaks to Lucy Kaufman about how writing hits such as Chicken Run and Spitting Image springs from a journey that encompasses activism and the power of hope.

Sponsored by Hay Festival, issue 16 is the physical reminder of the importance of driving the agenda of diversity and inclusion in publishing. Christopher Bone, Hay Spokesperson shares this:

“As we seek to broaden access to Hay Festival, we are delighted to grow our partnership with Pen to Print this Spring and beyond, sharing inspiring content with audiences UK-wide and bringing groups of budding writers to the Festival itself.”

Write On! is delighted to spearhead the wider partnership between Hay and publishers, Pen to Print. Partnership activities include making 1000 copies of Write On! 16 available for free at Hay in 2023. This runs alongside a press partnership which will see Write On! team members reporting from some of the wonderful Hay programming, which includes Stomzy, Dua Lipa and Margaret Atwood. Do check out Lena Smith’s Haymaker interview on the official Hay website and Juneha Chowdhury’s conversation with Hay CEO Julie Finch on our magazine’s Sponsor page.

Write On! will also be hosting a Hay Podcast panel discussion on how diversity can power literary excellence. Headed by Editor Madeleine F White, with team members including Pen to Print’s emerging and established writers, this physical and digital event explores how co-creation gives a voice to those without one.

Still focussing on our theme of Contradictions: Everything Has Two Sides, other magazine highlights include ‘Spotlight’ where Michelle Sutton shares perspectives around Writing Courses and ‘The Big Debate,’ which sees Niema Bohrayba explore the merits of feedback. On the ‘Insight’ page, UNESCO’s Cities of Literature Global Poetry Slam 2022 winner, Abiọ́dún Abdul, shares advice around poetry performance.

This printed edition continues to be inspired by work featured in the online Write On! Extra and podcast Write On! Audio.

Write On! 17, themed Hearing Voices: Inner Voices, Outer Voices, Connected Voices comes out on June 28. It will be featuring an exclusive with internationally bestselling author Sita Brahmachari, described as one of the most important voices in children’s books today and is sponsored by ‘Exiled Writers’.

SEE ISSUE 16 HERE.

Launched in April 2019, Pen to Print’s Write On! continues to reach new readers as Barking & Dagenham’s Arts Council England Library NPO (National Portfolio Organisation) magazine. United by a desire to come together beyond boundaries of geography, culture and expectations, Write On! is created by and for writers. Write On! is available digitally and through libraries and other centres in many parts of London including the London Library as well as libraries in Devon, Manchester, Kent, Newcastle, the West Midlands and Essex. University distribution points include Kent, Christchurch, Sunderland and Goldsmiths. Increasingly, we are sharing the printed magazine with writers from across the UK who are asking for copies for their writing groups and local bookstores.

Pen to Print is part of Barking and Dagenham Libraries which means the ethos of the organisation is founded on promoting an inclusive community spirit. Due to the reach or our publications, which includes Write On! Audio and Write On! Extra in the digital sphere, we connect beyond Barking & Dagenham to create wider ripple effects. We are therefore delighted that this has encouraged nearly 130,000 users from 198 countries to respond to the ideals of engagement transparency, connection and inclusion.

A Call to Action:

In keeping with Pen to Print’s vision that everybody should have the chance to tell their story and so, inspire potential in others, we welcome new writing and ideas from London, the UK and internationally. Issue 17 themed Hearing Voices: Inner Voices, Outer Voices, Connected Voices comes out on June 28. The theme will also inform content for the digital Write On! Extra (accessible through pentoprint.org) and podcast Write On! Audio (on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Just type Pen to Print into your browser. Alternatively, find us via our Spotify Podcast hosting site).

1. 1. For up-to-date editorial information, including how to submit to the Write On! suite of publications, including audio, see: The Editor’s Introduction.
   2. Partnerships: Write On! has already facilitated partnerships and co-operation with Hay Festival, Writers’ and Artists’, All Stories, Bloomsbury, Penguin, the Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation, Write Back UK, the Curtis Brown Agency, Margate Bookie, University of Derby, Christ Church University Canterbury, The University Of Sunderland, The Romantic Novelist Association (RNA), the Alternative Stories and Fake Realities Podcast, The Turner Contemporary, Libraries Unlimited (Devon), The London Library, Becontree Broadcasting Station and the Barking and Dagenham Talking Newspaper (making Write On! available in a spoken form) many others are currently being explored. If you would like to discuss ideas, please do get in touch at: pentoprint@lbbd.gov.uk
   3. To advertise online or in the next issue please see our newly launch Write On! Together magazine, with demographics, testimonials and lots of information as to how to get involved as a sponsor, advertiser, volunteer and creative.